Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreux, Switzerland
This imposing bronze statue on the Montreux promenade features Freddie Mercury striking his iconic pose.
The statue is the work of a British-based Czech sculptor Irena Sedlecka, famous for British public figures, but also for oversized Communist statues dedicated to the working man. Sedlecka first saw Mercury perform at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London in 1985. He was truly one of her favorite musicians and performers.
The statue was initially intended for London, but negotiations with the authorities proved difficult. The sculpture was then sent to Montreux, a place very close to Mercury as he maintained a home in the city. The band also recorded several albums in Montreux, including, Made in Heaven.
On a rainy November day in 1996, Queen guitarist Brian May unveiled the nearly 10-foot (three meters) tall bronze sculpture in the presence of Mercury’s parents Jer and Bomi Bulsara, his sister Kashmira and her husband Roger Cook, his former personal assistant Peter Freestone, Queen drummer Roger Taylor, and Sedlecka. There were also several other notable artists present at the unveiling.
Located by the water, the bronze surface of the sculpture was exposed to various elements over time and was also the victim of vandalism. The City of Montreux thoroughly restored the sculpture to its former glory around 2010.
